Head of Data Automation & Manufacturing Intelligence
About The Position
Ensurge is seeking a Head of Data Automation & Manufacturing Intelligence to architect, build, and lead the company’s end-to-end data, automation, and digital manufacturing ecosystem. This leader will be responsible for connecting the physical factory to digital intelligence — spanning equipment control (PLC), SCADA, MES, cloud infrastructure, analytics, and AI/ML deployment. Reporting to the COO, this role is critical to Ensurge’s ability to scale with discipline, repeatability, and speed. This is not a “tools administrator” role. This is a hands-on systems architect and organizational leader who will define how data flows from machine → process → decision → execution. We are building the operational backbone required to scale Ensurge’s breakthrough products — and data is at the core of that mission.
Requirements
- Proven experience leading manufacturing data and automation systems in a high-tech production environment (semiconductor, battery, electronics, advanced manufacturing)
- Deep hands-on expertise with: PLCs (Rockwell, Siemens, Beckhoff, or equivalent) SCADA / HMI platforms MES / MOM systems
- Strong background in cloud platforms, DevOps, and modern software architecture
- Demonstrated experience deploying AI/ML models into production, not just research
- Ability to translate ambiguous manufacturing challenges into structured, scalable systems
- Familiarity with scaling data automation infrastructure to the varying needs of a developing manufacturing process
- Minimum Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Computer Science, Data Science, or equivalent experience
- Located in, or willing to regularly work on-site in, the San Jose area
Nice To Haves
- Experience scaling from pilot manufacturing to volume production
- Familiarity with roll-to-roll processing, thin films, or semiconductor-style fabs
- Background integrating quality systems, traceability, and regulatory requirements
- Experience leading cross-functional teams spanning hardware, software, and operations
- Advanced degree in Engineering, Computer Science, Data Science, or equivalent experience
Responsibilities
- Manufacturing Automation & Control Systems Own and standardize PLC architecture, communication protocols, and equipment integration across the factory
- Lead integration of SCADA systems for real-time monitoring, alarms, historical data, and visualization
- Partner with Equipment Engineering to embed data-first design into new tools and retrofits
- Establish automation standards for uptime, fault detection, interlocks, and safety
- MES, Traceability & Digital Manufacturing Lead selection, implementation, and scaling of MES / MOM platforms to enable: Full product and process traceability Automated data capture (eliminating manual spreadsheets) WIP, genealogy, yield, and cycle-time visibility
- Integrate MES with quality systems, travelers, and change control
- Ensure MES scales from pilot to volume without re-architecture
- Cloud, DevOps & Data Architecture Design and own Ensurge’s cloud data architecture (AWS/Azure/GCP)
- Build secure, scalable data pipelines from factory floor to cloud analytics
- Implement DevOps practices (CI/CD, infrastructure as code, monitoring, security)
- Ensure data integrity, versioning, access control, and compliance readiness
- AI, Machine Learning & Advanced Analytics Deploy AI/ML models for: Yield prediction and defect detection Equipment health and predictive maintenance Process optimization and DOE acceleration
- Translate manufacturing problems into data science use cases that deliver measurable ROI
- Partner with R&D, Manufacturing, and Quality to operationalize models — not just prototype them
- APIs, Systems Integration & Data Products Build robust API layers connecting PLCs, MES, LIMS, ERP, quality, and customer-facing systems
- Enable internal teams with self-service dashboards, alerts, and analytics
- Create standardized data products that support daily management, executive reviews, and board reporting
- Leadership, Strategy & Culture Build and lead a high-performing automation, data, and software team
- Establish clear standards, documentation, and ownership models
- Serve as a key thought partner to the COO on scaling strategy, capacity modeling, and operational risk
- Embed a data-driven culture — where decisions are visible, traceable, and fast
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Manager
